Richards ready to win again with new team

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Fiona Richards then at Buff Bay High prepares to launch the shot put during the girls' Class Two final at the 2015 GraceKennedy/ISSA Boys and Girls' Athletic Championships. Richards won with a throw of 15.21 metres.

Edwin Allen High School Class One thrower Fiona Richards will be in familiar territory at Champs.

The former Buff Bay High representative, who transferred to Edwin Allen last year, had to sit out a year, but when she last competed at Champs in 2015 she was a double champion, winning the Class Two shot put and discus.

She's going for another double this time around and will be the favourite for both events.

"I had to miss training for over four weeks in November due to severe chest pain. My coach and doctor told me to take a break, but I am good now," Richards said.

RIVALRY

She will also compete in the javelin and will renew rivalry with many of those athletes she defeated two years ago, including former St Elizabeth Technical High School athlete SahJay Stevens.

Stevens is now at St Jago, while her other competitors are Devia Brown of Hydel, Avery Pryce of Vere Technical and Gabrielle Bailey, formerly of St Andrew High, now at St Jago High.

Richards is looking forward to the rivalry, especially with Bailey, who defeated her twice this season at the Carifta Trials as well as the Central Championships.

"I lost at Carifta Trials because I was not focused, but I am ready now to compete and give my school valuable points, " she said.